Latest Reports Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Assets    (April 2008) This publication (and its companion document, Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects) is designed to help participating state agencies review and confirm the quality of digital learning content, including assets. It includes more than 10 evaluation criteria, plus an appendix that describes four characteristics of digital learning resources. (08T01);  5 pages;  2008;   $2 Planning for Improved Student Achievement: Ten Steps for Planning and Writing Standards-Based Units    (April 2008) Data from national assessments and classroom visits show that many state assessments hold students to minimum standards, resulting in many students not being taught to true grade level. To help schools get significantly more students achieving at the proficient level, SREB has developed this guide to planning and writing standards-based units. Standards-based units focus on rigorous lessons, quality assessment and the personal attention that gives meaning to learning. This guide explains what standards-based units look like, how they work and how they can be developed, using a 10-step process. (08V05);  64 pages;  2008;   $10 Fact Book Bulletin: SREB States Lead Growth as U.S. Population Tops 300    (March 2008) In 2007, the U.S. population passed the 300 million mark. More than half of the nation’s population growth over the next 20 years will be in SREB states, which implies ongoing educational challenges for the region. This Bulletin looks at projected changes in the regional population through 2030, including state-by-state data. (08E01);  2 pages;  2008;   free 2008 Legislative Report No. 2    (March 2008) Governors’ proposals in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma (08S02);  5 pages;  2008;   free Crafting A New Vision for High School: How States Can Join Academic and Technical Studies to Promote More Powerful Learning    (March 2008) Too many students leave high school unprepared for employment and postsecondary studies. High-quality career/technical education, combined with a college-preparatory academic core, can help improve student achievement so more students graduate, and they graduate college- and career-ready. This report outlines challenges states face in combining technical and academic studies for improved learning, provides actions states can take to overcome these challenges, and highlights current best practices and policies. The challenges and actions in the report were derived from a forum that convened CTE leaders and other decision-makers from 12 states. (08V07);  28 pages;  2008;   $5;    $2.50 each for 10 or more Redesigning the Ninth-Grade Experience: Reduce Failure, Improve Achievement and Increase High School Graduation Rates    (March 2008) The ninth grade is a crucial year that defines for many students whether they will continue toward high school graduation, further study and employment, or will become disengaged and drop out. This report outlines the key conditions of an effective ninth-grade experience, designed to engage more students in challenging high school academic and career/technical studies. (08V06);  16 pages;  2008;   $2.50;    $2 each for 10 or more 2008 Legislative Report No. 1    (February 2008) Governors’ proposals in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. (08S01);  9 pages;  2008;   free Getting Students Ready for College and Careers: Transitional Senior English    (January 2008) This report describes and defines the reading and writing readiness standards that are needed to prepare students for postsecondary studies and careers. It provides samples of related school assessments to help teachers provide the support and class structure needed to get students to the readiness level expected by colleges. Also included are samples of learning activities to provide a structure for students to improve their literacy preparation. (08V04);  64 pages;  2008;   $7.50 Lost in Transition: Building a Better Path from School to College and Careers    (January 2008) This report is based on 15 state education forums held in 2005 and 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forums focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. This report summarizes the findings from the education forums; identifies key policy issues; and details actions states can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (08V01);  28 pages;  2008;   $7.50 District Action: Supporting Schools With Data, Technology and Strong Leadership to Raise Student Achievement    (December 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V56w);  7 pages;  2007;   free Guiding Students to Meet Challenging Academic and Career Goals: Involving School Mentors, Parents and Community Leaders    (December 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V55w);  12 pages;  2007;   free The 22nd Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference - Skills for Success in the 21st Century    (December 2007) The theme of the 22nd annual summer conference, held July 9-12, 2008, in Nashville, Tennessee, is Skills for Success in the 21st Century. (07V57);  36 pages;  2007;   free SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2007) The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. SREB recognizes the key role leadership plays in creating and sustaining schools that help all students achieve high standards. This brochure describes the initiative's goals, critical success factors, research and modules. (07V54);  8 pages;  2007;   free SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement    (November 2007) The SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program is an effort to redesign educational leadership preparation and professional development programs. The trifold brochure describes SREB’s critical success factors; outlines the basic principles of the leadership program; describes leadership publications objectives; and explains the leadership curriculum modules. (07V51);  2 pages;  2007;   free Raising Achievement and Graduation Rates by Supporting Teachers in Developing Quality Classroom Instruction    (November 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V52w);  9 pages;  2007;   free Supporting Ninth-Grade Students to Achieve in High School and Preparing Seniors for Postsecondary Education and a Career    (November 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V53w);  10 pages;  2007;   free Checklist for Evaluating SREB-SCORE Learning Objects    (October 2007) This checklist is based on Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects and is designed to help schools and colleges determine the quality and effectiveness of learning objects (07T05);  8 pages;  2007;   $2 Evaluation Criteria for SREB-SCORE Learning Objects    (October 2007) This document is designed to help participating state agencies review and confirm the quality of digital learning content. (07T04);  9 pages;  2007;   $2 Five Academic Reasons: Why State Virtual Schools are Important to Your State    (October 2007) There are many reasons that students in middle grades and high school need online access to courses, but there are at least five academic reasons why state virtual schools are important to achieving state educational and economic goals, too. In summary, these reasons include: courses that schools often cannot provide can become available; graduation rates can be improved through credit-recovery courses; AP courses can be available to students who otherwise would not have this access; quality teachers can be available to any student anywhere; and quality teachers and quality courses utilizing interactive technology improves chances for academic success of students. All these factors positively impact a state’s economic goals. (07T07);  3 pages;  2007;   free SREB-SCORE: Empowering Member States to Share Digital Course Content    (October 2007) This brochure gives a general overview of the SREB-SCORE initiative and can be used for informational and marketing purposes by participating state agencies. (07T03);  2007;   free State Virtual Schools — Successes and Growing Pains    (October 2007) This summary report is based on information gathered from each SREB state virtual school and reported in the SREB State Virtual Schools 2007 Report. This report provides an overview of the status of SREB states’ use of Web-based courses to meet student academic needs. It also provides comparative data on topics including enrollment, course types, online teachers and funding. (07T06);  8 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Final Legislative Report    (October 2007) Final legislative and budget actions in the 16 SREB states (07S10);  26 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Legislative Briefing    (October 2007) The 2007 Legislative Briefing is a topical summary of actions during the 2007 legislative sessions that affect education in the SREB states. Topics include budget and the economy, tax and revenue measures, school finance, tuition and fees, salaries and benefits for teachers and faculty, quality teachers, accountability and student performance, young students and at-risk students, middle grades and high schools, higher education, educational technology, and student health and fitness. (07S09);  19 pages;  2007;   free Advancing Students’ Academic and Technical Knowledge Through Technology and Effective School and Classroom Practices    (October 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V50w);  10 pages;  2007;   free Ready to Start: Ensuring High-Quality Prekindergarten in SREB States    (October 2007) SREB states are national leaders in providing state-funded prekindergarten for 4-year-olds. This report, a part of the Challenge to Lead education goals series, reviews SREB states’ progress in improving prekindergarten access and calls for a greater focus on quality, funding, teacher training and other actions to help all children get ready for school, including those in poverty or from low-income or English-as-a-second-language families. (07E09);  25 pages;  2007;   $5 Schools Need Good Leaders Now: State Progress in Creating a Learning-Centered School Leadership System    (October 2007) This report calls for states to designate school leadership as a visible state, district and school priority, focused on the principal’s role in leading schools toward higher student performance. It describes the progress that states should make to ensure that they have the learning-centered school leaders they need to succeed in the 21st century. (07V48);  36 pages;  2007;   $5 2007 Legislative Report No. 6    (September 2007) Final actions in Delaware, Louisiana and North Carolina, plus updates from Florida and Virginia. (07S08);  5 pages;  2007;   free Creating a School Culture to Increase the Achievement of All Students in Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science    (September 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V49w);  13 pages;  2007;   free Making Grading and Instructional Changes to Motivate Diverse Groups of Students to Learn    (September 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V30w);  10 pages;  2007;   free Project Lead The Way® Works: A New Type of Career and Technical Program    (September 2007) This research brief shows how the Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) STEM-based curricula raise student achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and help get students ready for college and careers. Analyzing data from the 2006 HSTW Assessment, it looks at how PLTW students are more likely to exceed the HSTW course recommendations and are more prepared to pursue postsecondary studies and advances in the workplace. (07V29);  20 pages;  2007;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more Teaching Academic Content Embedded in Career/Technical Studies at Shared-time Centers and Comprehensive High Schools    (September 2007) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (07V31w);  10 pages;  2007;   free Career/Technology Centers That Work: An Enhanced High Schools That Work Design For Technology Centers    (August 2007) This brochure describes the Technology Centers That Work enhanced design for school improvement, including the HSTW framework of Goals and Key Practices, recommended core curriculum and key conditions. It outlines what participating technology centers agree to do to set up a literacy program, measure and report progress, and it discusses how to collaborate with HSTW to become a successful site for getting students ready for work and further education beyond the technology center. (07V28);  14 pages;  2007;   free Top 10 Ways to Improve Science Achievement: Actions for School Principals, Assistant Principals, Department Chairs and School Improvement Consultants    (August 2007) High Schools That Work Assessment data show the need to improve science education in both the middle grades and high school. Science education increases students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This publication is designed to help principals, other school leaders and teachers identify rigorous instruction and successfully engage students in science. (07V26w);  6 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Legislative Report No. 5    (July 2007) Final actions in Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, plus updates from Florida, Maryland and Texas (07S07);  5 pages;  2007;   free SREB Fact Book on Higher Education 2007    (July 2007) The 50th anniversary edition of this biennial publication provides summaries of trends and detailed data on six broad topics: population and economy; enrollment; degrees; student tuition and financial aid; faculty and administrators; and revenues and expenditures. This year's highlights include historic increases in college enrollment, details on population changes that could challenge SREB states' continued education progress, and the growing college affordability gap for lower- and middle-income students. (07E01);  239 pages;  2007;   $15 High Schools That Work Selected Publications 2006-2007    (June 2007) This CD contains a wide range of High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work publications from 2006-2007: Newsletters: 2005 Summer Conference Newsletters 2006 Summer Conference Newsletters 07V08w – Establishing an Effective Guidance and Advisement System Brochures: 05V07 – High Schools That Work: An Enhanced Design to Get All Students to Standards 06V15 – Making Middle Grades Work: An Enhanced Design to Get All Students to Standards 07V07 – SREB Leadership Curriculum Modules: Engaging Leaders in Solving Real School Problems: Curriculum Framework and Module Summaries Guides: 06V05 – Establishing Benchmarks for New and Maturing HSTW Sites 06V14 – Establishing Benchmarks of Progress for Middle Grades Sites 06V59w – A Guide for Using the HSTW Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform 06V59w workbook – Using the HSTW Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform (workbook) 06V60w – A Guide for Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform 06V60w workbook – Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform (workbook) Research Briefs: 06V54 – High Schools That Work Follow-up Study of 2004 High School Graduates: Transitioning to College and Careers from a High Schools That Work High School 06V61 – Urban Students Achieve When High Schools Implement Proven Practices Reports: 06V65 – 10 Strategies for Improving High School Graduation Rates and Student Achievement 07V15w – Giving Students a Chance to Achieve: Getting Off to a Fast and Successful Start in Grade Nine Books: 06V19 – Students Can't Wait: High Schools Must Turn Knowledge into Action 07V05 – Good Principals Aren’t Born – They’re Mentored: Are We Investing Enough to Get the School Leaders We Need? 07V09 – Comprehensive School Reform: Making a Difference in Improving High Schools 07V10 – We Know What Works in the Middle Grades: Smart District Leadership Can Make It Happen Magazine Article: Treat All Students Like the “Best” Student (07V11c);  2007;   $10 2007 Annual Report: From Goals to Results    (June 2007) The 2007 Southern Regional Education Board annual report presents SREB's chief accomplishments and areas of focus during the last year. It includes remarks from the Board Chair and President, summarizes SREB's ongoing activities and goals, and lists members of the Board, Legislative Advisory Council and SREB staff. (07E04);  24 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Legislative Report No. 4    (June 2007) Final actions in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas. (07S06);  7 pages;  2007;   free Achieving Tenure and Diversity: Honoring 350 Graduates — and Counting …    (June 2007) The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program was established in 1993 to address the long-standing national shortage of minority faculty at institutions of higher learning. This publication recognizes the 15 Mark Musick Doctoral Scholar graduates who have achieved tenure and highlights the 350th graduate of the program. A list of the 50 most recent program graduates also is provided by state. (07E08);  24 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Alabama’s Youth    (June 2007) This report is based on the Alabama Education Forum held August 1, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Alabama can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V16);  28 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Montana’s Youth    (June 2007) This report is based on the Montana Education Forum held August 30, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Montana can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V18);  24 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For New Mexico’s Youth    (June 2007) This report is based on the New Mexico Education Forum held November 30, 2005. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions New Mexico can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V17);  28 pages;  2007;   free Clearing Paths to College Degrees: Transfer Policies in SREB States    (June 2007) This report focuses on the actions SREB states have taken in recent years to improve transfer policies that help students make smooth transitions between public two- and four-year colleges. It calls for states to monitor policies more carefully, identifies keys to successful transfer programs and indicates which SREB states have implemented them. (07E06);  20 pages;  2007;   $5 Focus on State Policies Limiting Excess Undergraduate Credit Hours    (June 2007) State funding for colleges and universities continues to subsidize the cost of educating state residents, but spiraling expenditures in other areas are straining the ability of states to maximize their higher education investments in the face of growing demand. This paper summarizes the efforts of several SREB states to reduce excess undergraduate credit hours by limiting state support for those hours or by providing incentives for students to complete their degrees in an efficient manner. (07S05);  6 pages;  2007;   free The Changing Roles of Statewide High School Exams    (June 2007) SREB states were among the first in the nation to implement statewide high school exams. Today, these exams are a key component of each state's accountability system. This report identifies which states use comprehensive exams and which use end-of-course exams, how students perform on them, and whether achievement gaps have narrowed. It also assesses the movement of SREB states toward using end-of-course exams and whether current exams measure college readiness. (07E03);  28 pages;  2007;   $5 What is SREB-SCORE?    (June 2007) This document is a short introduction to the SREB-SCORE initiative. It defines digital learning content and explains the value and the goals of the initiative. (07T01);  2 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Legislative Report No. 3    (May 2007) Final actions in Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia and West Virginia (07S04);  10 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Georgia’s Youth    (May 2007) This report is based on the Georgia Education Forum held May 8, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Georgia can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V14);  28 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Hawaii’s Youth    (May 2007) This report is based on the Hawaii Education Forum held August 10, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Hawaii can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V13);  28 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Texas’ Youth    (May 2007) This report is based on the Texas Education Forum held September 13, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Texas can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V12);  28 pages;  2007;   free Focus on Teacher Pay and Incentives: Recent Legislative Actions and Update on Salary Averages    (May 2007) Teacher pay continues to be a hot issue for states, particularly since it is likely the largest expenditure in education budgets. This paper summarizes the latest on average salaries, including an update on recent incentive pay programs, pilot projects and other legislative actions that affect the compensation of teachers. (07S03);  9 pages;  2007;   free Giving Students a Chance to Achieve: Getting Off to a Fast and Successful Start in Grade Nine    (May 2007) Students who successfully complete grade nine are substantially more likely to graduate from high school than are students who fail the freshman year. However, many middle grades students are not academically prepared for ninth grade. This report addresses five questions that can help school leaders ensure that middle grades students know the courses they need to take before ninth grade and that ninth-graders are prepared for the rigor of high school curricula. (07V15w);  18 pages;  2007;   free SREB States Lead the Nation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs    (May 2007) Participation in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs is growing in SREB states. SREB’s Challenge to Lead Goals for Education recognize AP courses and the IB curriculum as specific ways that states can engage high school students in more advanced course work. This report addresses the continued momentum of SREB states in access to and achievement in these programs, especially for traditionally underserved student groups. It also offers suggestions for states interested in strengthening their programs. (07E05);  8 pages;  2007;   free Improving ACT and SAT Scores: Making Progress, Facing Challenges    (April 2007) SREB’s Challenge to Lead Goals for Education call for more students to take college admission tests, to score higher on those tests and for SREB states to reduce gaps in test scores among all groups of students. This report looks at the underlying factors driving a state’s college admission test scores, analyzes the most recent test results and makes recommendations for improvement. (07E02);  12 pages;  2007;   $5 The Economic Benefits of Addressing the Nursing Shortage    (April 2007) Mirroring the national nursing shortage, SREB states and the District of Columbia are projected to have nearly 40,000 job openings for registered nurses every year through 2014. This report discusses the shortage of nurses in the region and gives state-level estimates of the tax revenues and other economic benefits that would be generated if these positions were filled ();  4 pages;  2007;   free 2007 Legislative Report No. 2    (March 2007) Governors’ proposals in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. (07S02);  8 pages;  2007;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Nebraska’s Youth    (March 2007) This report is based on the Nebraska Education Forum held August 31, 2005. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Nebraska can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (07V06);  24 pages;  2007;   free Comprehensive School Reform: Making a Difference in Improving High Schools    (March 2007) States and school districts are discovering that a small investment can yield positive returns for schools that implement the HSTW Goals and Key Practices to produce more graduates who are ready for college and a career. Through HSTW technical assistance visits, school-based staff development, conferences, workshops, publications and NAEP-based assessments, teams of school and teacher leaders from low-performing schools learned how to make needed changes in improving student performance — and made more progress in raising student achievement than similar schools that failed to receive such assistance. (07V09);  80 pages;  2007;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more Establishing an Effective Guidance and Advisement System    (March 2007) A good guidance and advisement system is the glue that connects various high school experiences together in a meaningful way for students. This newsletter addresses the most frequently asked questions High Schools That Work staff receive about adviser programs, such as - Why establish a guidance and advisement system? What is the role of the adviser? What are the goals of the adviser/advisee programs? What are the conditions for establishing an effective adviser/advisee program? (07V08w);  5 pages;  2007;   free Good Principals Aren’t Born — They’re Mentored: Are We Investing Enough to Get the School Leaders We Need?    (March 2007) Good Principals Aren’t Born — They’re Mentored draws on survey data from a sample of seasoned principal mentors who have guided interns in university-based principal preparation programs in the SREB region. This report describes the present condition of mentoring for aspiring school leaders and lays out a course of action for policy-makers and the leaders of universities and school districts to ensure that every beginning principal comes to the job fully prepared to make a difference in teaching and learning. This report also describes the necessary investments required to create internships that can help aspiring school principals become transformational school leaders. (07V05);  96 pages;  2007;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more SREB Leadership Curriculum Modules: Engaging Leaders in Solving Real School Problems: Curriculum Framework and Module Summaries    (March 2007) This brochure describes the 17 SREB Leadership Curriculum Modules. The SREB Learning-centered Leadership Program and its partners developed the school leadership curriculum to help guide the redesign of state academies and university preparation programs to focus on what principals and school leadership teams need to know and be able to do to improve a school’s instructional program and raise student achievement. The framework for the Leadership Curriculum Modules is the set of 13 Critical Success Factors identified in SREB studies of principals recognized for leading changes in school and classroom practices that raised student achievement. (07V07);  54 pages;  2007;   free We Know What Works in the Middle Grades: Smart District Leadership Can Make It Happen    (March 2007) In this report, SREB compared schools in the MMGW initiative that have more fully implemented the MMGW research-based design with others that have been defined as low-implementation schools. The report shows clear differences in the achievement levels and academic success of these two groups of schools. The report also shows that dynamic, sustainable middle grades reform is far more likely to occur when district leaders, principal leaders and teacher leaders are all committed to the same improvement goals and means of achieving them. (07V10);  80 pages;  2007;   $7.50;    $5 each for 10 or more 2007 Legislative Report No. 1    (February 2007) Governors’ proposals in Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. (07S01);  7 pages;  2007;   free High School to College and Careers: Aligning State Policies 2007    (January 2007) Programs and requirements for a student's transition from high school to college and career vary considerably among SREB states. Differing state policies govern many key areas of college readiness, including: the courses and tests required in high school, early outreach, joint enrollment programs, college admission and placement standards, colleges' reports to high schools about their graduates' performance, and state financial aid. This update to the 2005 and 2002 reports provides a one-page summary of each state's policies in these areas. (06E20);  24 pages;  2007;   $5 Increasing Accountability for Teacher Preparation Programs    (January 2007) SREB states face new challenges as they adapt to the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 . This report, a part of the Challenge to Lead education goals series, reviews SREB states’ progress in strengthening their accountability systems to ensure that their teacher preparation programs are producing quality teachers. The report identifies what SREB states are doing to respond to increased pressure for sound accountability systems and how states are ensuring that alternative programs are producing qualified teachers for schools. (06E18);  5 pages;  2006;   free Getting State Standards Right in the Early and Middle Grades    (December 2006) SREB states were among the first in the nation to set comprehensive state standards for K-12 schools. But setting standards is only part of the job. Getting the standards right and keeping them right may be the most important task facing public education today. This report recommends the use of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) as a yardstick for state standards and includes state profiles of student performance on standards and NAEP assessments for each SREB state. (06E19);  32 pages;  2006;   $5 SREB's Action Agenda: From Goals to Results … Making It Happen    (December 2006) This document summarizes SREB's latest policy recommendations for achieving the Challenge to Lead Goals for Education. It provides SREB's 16 member states with nearly 50 specific actions to help them continue the momentum of educational improvement in the region. Included are steps to better prepare students for transitions to the next educational level; help close achievement gaps among racial/ethnic, income and gender groups; and hold schools and colleges more accountable for meeting state needs. (06E17);  2006;   free 10 Strategies for Improving High School Graduation Rates and Student Achievement    (November 2006) This report contains 10 best practices for improving high school graduation rates and student achievement. The practices include setting up a state accountability system; getting middle grades students ready for high school; strengthening the transition from the middle grades to ninth grade; requiring that all high school students complete a solid academic core; having high school students take additional academic courses beyond the required core; creating partnerships with employers and colleges to provide students access to high-quality career/technical studies; requiring schools to develop an extra-help system; getting students to make full use of the senior year; providing additional support for the lowest-performing high schools in the state; and developing teams of district and state leaders to help low-performing high schools. (06V65);  16 pages;  2006;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more 2006 Legislative Briefing    (November 2006) The 2006 Legislative Briefing is a topical summary of actions during the 2006 legislative sessions that affect education in the SREB states. Topics include budget and the economy, tax and revenue measures, school finance, tuition and fees, salaries and benefits for teachers and faculty, quality teachers, accountability and student performance, young students and at-risk students, middle grades and high schools, higher education, educational technology, and student health and fitness. (06S08);  16 pages;  2006;   free A Guide for Using the HSTW Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform    (November 2006) This guide is designed to explain the 2006 High Schools That Work (HSTW) Assessment. Included in the first section are details about the purpose and composition of the HSTW Assessment, its administration and distribution of the results. The second section of this guide details the composition of the HSTW Assessment report. The type of data displayed in the report is explained and the report is described in detail. Finally, the guide describes a series of questions designed to assist schools in interpreting the 2006 HSTW Assessment report. Schools can use the companion workbook to this guide to respond to these questions. (06V59w);  20 pages;  2006;   free A Guide for Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform    (November 2006) This guide is designed to explain the 2006 Middle Grades Assessment (MGA). Included in the first section are details about the purpose and composition of the MGA, its administration and distribution of the results. The second section of this guide details the composition of the MGA report. The type of data displayed in the report is explained and the report is described in detail. Finally, the guide describes a series of questions designed to assist schools in interpreting the 2006 MGA report. Schools can use the companion workbook to this guide to respond to these questions. (06V60w);  16 pages;  2006;   free Checklist for Evaluating Online Courses    (November 2006) Evaluation is key to ensuring that online courses provide students with access to quality instruction and resources. With sections on content, instructional design, student assessment and technology, this checklist is based on the SREB report Standards for Quality Online Courses and is designed to assist states and schools in determining the quality and effectiveness of online courses. (06T06);  12 pages;  2006;   $2 Raising Students to Proficiency: Motivating All Students through Higher Expectations    (November 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V66w);  7 pages;  2006;   free Using the HSTW Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform (workbook)    (November 2006) Designed for use in conjunction with A Guide for Using the HSTW Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform, this workbook enables schools to see where they stand in their efforts to achieve continuous school improvement. The questions are largely derived from the student and teacher survey sections from the 2006 HSTW Assessment. (06V59w workbook);  48 pages;  2006;   free Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform (workbook)    (November 2006) Designed for use in conjunction with A Guide for Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform, this workbook enables schools to see where they stand in their efforts to achieve continuous school improvement. The questions are largely derived from the student and teacher survey sections of the 2006 Middle Grades Assessment. (06V60w workbook);  36 pages;  2006;   free Giving More Students Access to a Rigorous and Relevant Mathematics Core    (October 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V56w);  2006;   free Investing in Future Faculty    (October 2006) The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program and the Alfred P. Sloan Minority Ph.D. Program have partnered to create a unique opportunity that benefits participants of both programs as they progress through graduate study and prepare to seek employment as faculty on college and university campuses. This publication salutes Sloan’s capstone graduates, scholars who attended the Compact for Faculty Diversity Institute for Teaching and Mentoring and now have earned their doctorates. (06E16);  7 pages;  2006;   free Online Teaching Evaluation for State Virtual Schools    (October 2006) This document is based on the SREB publication Standards for Quality Online Teaching and provides state virtual schools in SREB states with an instrument to evaluate the quality of online teachers of middle grades and high school students. Including a checklist and a year-end evaluation, it is designed to gauge whether an online teacher meets each standard, recognize achievements and enable the teacher to understand what needs to be accomplished to ensure high-quality teaching. (06T04);  9 pages;  2006;   $2 Putting College-preparatory Social Studies on the Map: Ensuring Students Are Prepared for Their New Frontiers    (October 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V55w);  6 pages;  2006;   free Raising Achievement and Graduation Rates: Schools Pave the Way to the Future for All Students    (October 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V53W);  6 pages;  2006;   free Standards for Quality Online Courses    (October 2006) The rapid growth of online learning has deepened the understanding of how to design effective online courses. This publication, funded by the BellSouth Foundation, examines what constitutes a quality online course and outlines specific standards for course content, instructional design, student assessment, technology, and course evaluation and management. (06T05);  8 pages;  2006;   $2 Students Need Strong Guidance and Advisement to Succeed    (October 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V52W);  5 pages;  2006;   free Students Rocket to Success in High-level Science Courses with Hands-on Projects and Labs    (October 2006) This is part of a series of Best Practices for Implementing HSTW and MMGW. (06V63w);  6 pages;  2006;   free Urban Students Achieve When High Schools Implement Proven Practices    (October 2006) A great challenge today is improving urban education and getting urban students ready for postsecondary education and careers. This research brief shows how, through comparisons of the 2002 and 2004 HSTW Assessments, deep implementation of the HSTW design in urban districts has raised student achievement levels. (06V61);  20 pages;  2006;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more Fact Book Bulletin: College Degrees Benefit States and Individuals Significantly    (September 2006) Southern adults with a bachelor’s degree as their highest education level earn nearly twice the annual income of residents with a high school diploma or GED certificate alone. This Bulletin looks at the advantages to states and individuals when residents hold a bachelor’s degree, including reported better health and higher rates of employment, volunteerism and voting. (06E15);  4 pages;  2006;   free Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For Oklahoma’s Youth    (September 2006) This report is based on the Oklahoma Education Forum held February 17, 2006. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions Oklahoma can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (06V51);  24 pages;  2006;   free High Schools That Work Follow-up Study of 2004 High School Graduates: Transitioning to College and Careers from a High Schools That Work High School    (September 2006) Learn what actions school and district leaders can take to better prepare future high school graduates. This brief summarizes the results of the High Schools That Work follow-up survey of 2004 graduates from its network schools. The survey gathered information about graduates’ pursuit of postsecondary studies and careers for 18 months after high school. The brief provides insights into how well-prepared these graduates felt they were and what they thought their high schools should have done differently. (06V54);  24 pages;  2006;   $2;    $1 each for 10 or more 2006 Final Legislative Report    (August 2006) Final legislative and budget actions in the 16 SREB states (06S07);  22 pages;  2006;   free 2006 Legislative Report No. 5    (August 2006) Final actions in Delaware, Louisiana, North Carolina and Oklahoma; budget adopted in Virginia. (06S06);  6 pages;  2006;   free Cost Guidelines for State Virtual Schools    (August 2006) An increasing number of states are creating state virtual schools to provide Web-based academic courses to middle grades and high school students. This publication, produced by SREB’s Educational Technology Cooperative, identifies the costs associated with the creation of a state virtual school at three different levels of implementation. It is designed to help states consider the potential cost elements involved in planning and supporting a state virtual school as it is implemented initially and as it grows over time. (06T03);  16 pages;  2006;   $2 SREB States Take Action to Support Beginning Teachers    (August 2006) Too many teachers do not receive support and often leave the classroom within the first few years of their careers. The recruitment and retention of effective and well-qualified teachers are essential to resolving the teacher shortage and helping every student make academic progress. This publication looks at SREB states’ efforts to support and retain beginning teachers. Currently, all 16 SREB states offer some type of support for new teachers, with 10 of those states mandating such programs. (06E14);  4 pages;  2006;   free Standards for Quality Online Teaching    (August 2006) This publication, funded by the BellSouth Foundation, examines what qualifications are needed to be a quality online teacher and outlines specific standards for academic preparation, content knowledge, online skills and delivery, and more. (06T02);  9 pages;  2006;   $2 High Schools That Work Selected Publications 2005-2006    (June 2006) This CD contains a wide range of High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work publications from 2005-2006: Book: (06V19) Students Can't Wait: High Schools Must Turn Knowledge into Action (05V18) Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Matter in Improving Student Achievement in Rural High Schools Special Reports: (06V03) Implementing School Reform: Making Middle Grades Work for All Students (05V73) Actions States Can Take to Place a Highly Qualified Career/Technical Teacher in Every Classroom Research Briefs: (05V69) Improving Reading Achievement in Middle Grades Rural Schools Brochures: (06V15) Making Middle Grades Work: An Enhanced Design to Get All Students to Standards (05V07) High Schools That Work: An Enhanced Design to Get All Students to Standards Guides: (06V14) Establishing Bechmarks of Progress for Middle Grades Sites (06V05) Establishing Benchmarks for New and Maturing HSTW Sites (05V64w) Motivating Students to Put Forth Their Best Effort and Other Tips for Administering the High Schools That Work and Middle Grades Assessments Case Studies: (05V74) Henry W. Grady High School, Atlanta, Georgia (05V67) Waynesville High School, Wayne Local Schools, Waynesville, Ohio ACTE Guides: Reinventing America's High Schools: A Vision of the 21st Century Reinventing America's High Schools: A Wall-to-Wall Approach Reinventing America's High Schools: Examining a High School That Works (06V08c);  2006;   $10 2006 Annual Report: Challenge to Lead: The Momentum Continues    (June 2006) The Southern Regional Education Board's annual report for 2006 looks at SREB's primary accomplishments during the last year. It also summarizes SREB's ongoing activities and goals and contains lists of members of the Board, Legislative Advisory Council and SREB staff. (06E10);  27 pages;  2006;   free 2006 Legislative Report No. 4    (June 2006) Final legislative and budget actions in Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; special session in Texas; governor’s proposal in North Carolina; and an update from Oklahoma (06S05);  11 pages;  2006;   free 20th Annual Staff Development Conference Program: Leading Change to Make Rigor, Relevance and Relationships a Reality    (June 2006) The theme of the 20th annual summer conference, held July 12-15, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, was “Leading Change to Make Rigor, Relevance and Relationships a Reality.” The program provides the schedule, descriptions of sessions, contact information for presenters and exhibitors, and other information about SREB's High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work initiatives. (06V02);  164 pages;  2006;   $5 Building Transitions from High School to College and Careers For North Carolina's Youth    (June 2006) This report is based on the North Carolina Education Forum held July 6, 2005. Sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the forum focused on the goals of the College and Career Transitions Initiative. The report details the outcome of the forum and suggests actions North Carolina can take to improve students’ transitions from high school to postsecondary studies and careers. (06V22);  24 pages;  2006;   free From Goals to Results: Improving Education System Accountability    (June 2006) SREB's Challenge to Lead goals call for states to encourage early childhood programs, K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, two- and four-year colleges, universities and adult education to work together as a system. This includes focusing on helping students make smooth transitions to the next education level (especially first grade, ninth grade and college), building statewide education data systems that can track individual students and teachers over time, and achieving real-dollar growth in state budgets for K-12 and higher education. This report concludes the first series of reports on each Challenge to Lead goal. It includes recommendations and an action agenda, From Goals to Results … Making It Happen, that can help your state make progress toward all of the goals. (06E12);  16 pages;  2006;   $5 SREB States Remain on Top in the Number of Teachers Achieving National Board Certification    (June 2006) SREB states continue to lead the way in the number of teachers who earn certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. This report highlights the legislation and incentives that have made a difference in increasing the number of teachers who meet the high, rigorous standards to earn this certification. (06E09);  4 pages;  2006;   free State Progress Reports on the Challenge to Lead Goals    (June 2006) Sixteen reports, customized for each of the 16 SREB states, provide information about SREB states’ progress toward meeting the Challenge to Lead Goals for Education. Data on student achievement, school leadership, teacher salaries and other topics are included in presentation-style slides, with commentary to help education leaders understand the data in a national context. Available in both PDF and PowerPoint formats, the reports can be printed or downloaded for use in presentations. Hard copies are not available to the public. (06E11);  46 pages;  2006;   free Students Can't Wait: High Schools Must Turn Knowledge into Action    (June 2006) A high school reform effort that fails to accelerate all students’ achievement cannot be called successful. The 2002 and 2004 High Schools That Work Assessments show some HSTW schools posted significant improvement in achievement across every student group, while others did not. This report looks at the factors that separate the improved schools from the non-improved schools. (06V19);  96 pages;  2006;   $7.50 Thirteen Years, 300 Graduates    (June 2006) This publication highlights the 300th graduate of the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program. One graduate from each participating state or affiliate member also is featured, along with a program summary of total scholars supported, graduated, and percent employed in education. Scholars are pictured with a quote about their experiences in the program and their key accomplishments. A list of all graduates and the institutions from which they graduated is provided by state. (06E13);  25 pages;  2006;   free What Really Works? Schools Succeed When Using the Key Practices of High Schools That Work    (June 2006) The Southern Regional Education Board’s school reform initiative, High Schools That Work, combines academic and career/technical education in order to improve student achievement. This report presents research showing that HSTW’s Goals and Key Practices increase student achievement when deeply implemented in schools. (06V21);  12 pages;  2006;   $5;    $3 each for 10 or more Making Middle Grades Work: An Enhanced Design to Get All Students to Standards    (May 2006) This brochure describes the Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) enhanced design for school improvement, including the updated MMGW framework of Goals and Key Practices, recommended core curriculum and Key Conditions. Those interested in joining the MMGW network can learn what states, network sites and member states agree to do as part of MMGW. (06V15);  16 pages;  2006;   free 2006 Legislative Report No. 3    (May 2006) Final actions in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland and West Virginia; special session in Arkansas, and updates from other SREB states (06S03);  8 pages;  2006;   free Catalog of all available SREB publications List of all available SREB publications on the Web To order a copy of a publication, click on "Publications" on the home page; call (404) 875-9211, Ext. 236; or e-mail publications@sreb.org.